Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Welfare Reform/TANF

Extending the TANF Emergency Fund Would Create and Preserve Jobs Quickly and Efficiently

"Unless states know soon that additional aid will be available for fiscal year 2011 under the TANF Emergency Fund [created by the Recovery Act], they will begin to scale back and subsequently eliminate the subsidized jobs they have created using the fund....

"In addition, many states will feel compelled to institute harsh cutbacks in cash assistance for very poor families with children even though need is continuing to rise. The result will be a further loss of jobs, a withdrawal of needed stimulus, and an increase in serious hardship among some of the nation’s poorest children and families."

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Topics

Basics

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant provides federal funds to states for income assistance programs for poor families with children, welfare-to-work efforts, work supports such as child care, and other social services for low-income families. Roughly 4 million Americans receive TANF-funded assistance.

Policy Basics:
- An Introduction to TANF

Featured Experts

LaDonna Pavetti Ph.D.

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Liz Schott

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Arloc Sherman

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The Center conducts research and analysis on federal TANF issues as well as state policy choices and implementation issues. We also provide technical assistance to state policymakers and policy analysts to help states design their TANF programs to reach more eligible families and meet families’ particular needs.